Brandi Carlile has emerged as one of the biggest forces in Country and Americana in the last few years. Following the success of her 2007 single ‘The Story’, Carlile has found herself in demand as a both a songwriter and a producer. In 2019 she founded The Highwomen with Amanda Shires, Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby, and she produced Tanya Tucker’s album ‘While I’m Livin’. With six Grammy awards to her name, Carlile is stepping back into the artist spotlight with new album ‘In These Silent Days’, her first solo record since 2018’s ‘By The Way, I Forgive You’.
‘In These Silent Days’ is a collection of songs written during the pandemic and lockdown. An introspective and reflective body of work, the album sees Carlile channelling some of her musical heroes including Elton John, Joni Mitchell and Simon & Garfunkel. Possessing a voice with remarkable range and depth, Carlile has the ability to make the listener feel what she’s feeling, and there’s no doubt that she’s signing straight from her soul here. Album opener ‘Right On Time’ is an Elton John-esque piano ballad that sees Carlile vocals veering in Pink territory, showcasing that depth and range that makes her so special.
‘Broken Horses’, which is also the name of her memoir, leans into a Janis Joplin-like rock production. Carlile leaves nothing behind as she spills her guts through her emotive vocals on top of urgent piano and guitar melodies. The grit in Carlile’s voice is evident as she sings of the trials and tribulations she’s pushed through in her life and career. The beautiful ‘Letter to the Past’ is a piano-led ballad about the importance of being a constant support for yourself through the hardest of times. It’s one of the highlights on the record.
Elsewhere on the album the folksy ‘When You’re Wrong’ is a haunting ode to finding someone to love you, flaws and all, ‘This Time Tomorrow’ is a harmony-filled song exploring the idea of always being there for someone, and ‘Stay Gentle’ asks the listener to resist being hardened by the ways of the world, as hard as that might be. The album comes to a close with ‘Throwing Good After Bad’, a song that explores the grief you feel after a partner leaves you to chase what they believe to be bigger and better things. It’s an emotional way to close the record and it’s sure to resonate with fans.
‘In These Silent Days’ is another triumphant body of work from Carlile. She has set her own high bar with her previous work and this album meets them with ease. How Carlile isn’t a bigger commercial success is quite baffling but this album should see her add even more awards to her already jaw-dropping haul. ‘In These Silent Days’ is an album that people can put on to help them process what we’ve all been through the past 18 months and no artist has captured that quite so eloquently as Carlile has.
Track listing: 1. Right On Time 2. You and Me On The Rock 3. This Time Tomorrow 4. Broken Horses 5. Letter to My Past 6. Mama Werewolf 7. When You’re Wrong 8. Stay Gentle 9. Sinners, Saints and Fools 10. Throwing Good After Bad Record label: Atlantic Records Release date: 1st October 2021 Buy ‘In These Silent Days’ now
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